Hammer A3-31 Jointer/Planer Combo

[Don Abele]

Well, I finally decided on which model J/P I'm purchasing. And it wasn't even one that I had initially given any thought to.

To get a price quote on the Hammer, I had to register. This registration led them to calling me and offering me some free passes to the upcoming New England Wood Expo (http://newenglandwoodexpo.com). That led to us talking about me purchasing one of the models they will have on display there. And then came a great offer which I couldn't refuse.

[insert gloat]
So...come May 3rd, I'll be the proud owner of a Hammer A3-31 :D
[end gloat]

If anyone else is planning on attending the show, keep your paws off my stuff and no drool! :p

I also ordered the digital handwheel, an extension table, and an extra set of knives. I was going to order the dust collection elbow for use in planer mode, but the sales rep said it was an expensive ($50) option that wasn't really necessary. What he did say I needed was a 120mm to 4" reducer. He recommended nordfab.com or airhand.com but I couldn't find it on either of the sites and they are both closed today.

So for those of you that have Euro machines, what do you use to adapt the 120mm port?

Be well,

Doc

[Dave Novak]

It took some work to find the right reducer. After quite a bit of looking around, my MiniMax sales rep suggested one of those heavy, black rubber drainage couplings. Might be called a flexible pipe connector. Works fantastic. Takes a little effort to get a 4" hose on the end, but once on, it's on. Couldn't find a better picture than this during a quick web search.

http://www.plumbingsupply.com/images/flexconnector1.gif

[Steve Dewey]

Don - just read your thread - they asked me how far Hartford was while I was ordering on the phone, then said nevermind, it's sold already - must have been you:rolleyes:. Great deal for you to save the shipping costs. I don't have a truck or trailer, so I'd have to rent or borrow anyway.

[Steven Wilson]

I've found that the Nordfab fittings are great for a combination machine. I use Nordfab from the machine to the blast gate. From the blast gate to my DC is pretty standard stuff. I ordered my Nordfab stuff from Oneida. For my Minimax fittings (120mm) I had 120mm IDRaw to 5" QF machine connectors made. I use 5" flex, 4" is way too restrictive for these machines.

[Jim Becker]

Congrats, Don. Two of the three Mini Max machines in my shop were purchased via show pickup and were also used as display units at the shows. (My J/P and my BS) It's a great way to buy and can cut the cost considerably. You'll enjoy your new machine when you brink it home!

On the 120mm, I started out using 120mm-5" reducers, but they are long and harder to make fit well on the hoods. Since then, I switched to Fernco rubber sewer pipe unions per Sam Blasco's recommendations. Six bucks at the 'borg. :) The rubber fitting will slip over the 120mm hood port snuggly and 5" flex hose will slip over the other side and clamp securely with no leaks. A 5" drop is a good fit for your machine...4" is not enough air flow.

[Chris Padilla]

Doc,

Oneida can whip up a 120 mm to 4" for you if you need it. They whipped up a 120 mm to 6" one for me...about $35 IIRC. BTW, you may need 'better' than a 4" line to keep chips clear on these Euro machines. They weren't designed to be operated well with poor sucking of a DC system unlike stuff sold here that is sometime designed to expel chips w/out a DC system. Something to keep in mind.

[Don Abele]

...one of those heavy, black rubber drainage couplings

That looks like a Fernco adapter. I'll have to look into that, they tend to not be around $10 and the reducers I'm finding are all in the $25+ range.


...they asked me how far Hartford was while I was ordering on the phone, then said nevermind, it's sold already - must have been you...

Yup - that would be me :D



I've found that the Nordfab fittings are great for a combination machine. I use Nordfab from the machine to the blast gate. From the blast gate to my DC is pretty standard stuff. I ordered my Nordfab stuff from Oneida. For my Minimax fittings (120mm) I had 120mm IDRaw to 5" QF machine connectors made. I use 5" flex, 4" is way too restrictive for these machines.

I have a Jet DC-1100 (upgraded with canister filter) with a single 6" x 20 foot flex hose that I connect to each machine as I use it. I move too much to install permanent piping. I currently have a 4" reducer at the end of the hose, but have been planning on increasing all the ports on my machines to 6". This may be a good time to do that. Then I'll need a 120mm to 6" adapter.

Be well,

Doc

[Don Abele]

...I switched to Fernco rubber sewer pipe unions ...4" is not enough air flow...


...you may need 'better' than a 4" line to keep chips clear on these Euro machines...

LOL...you replied while I was typing my response above. At least now I know that we're thinking alike!

Thanks guys.

Be well,

Doc

[Peter Quinn]

I'm going to that show, how early do I have to get there to get a chance to drool on your machine? As a courtesy I will wear a bib!

Congrats on that purchase, I am turning green as we speak. I wish Laguna was doing that show, seems they don't care for the North East, or maybe Norm and Delta have been holding a turf war?:D:D:D

[Jim Becker]

Don, if you use the Fernco adapter, you can probably put a cheap 6" to 5" metal reducer from the 'borg on the end of your 6" hose. That will be an excellent combination.

I actually need to pick up another Fernco this weekend for my slider. Right now, I'm using a foil tape "adapter" as the metal reducer had to go when I added my router setup awhile back due to clearances...

[Eddie Darby]

Since you are getting a show display price I won't ask you how much that is, but can you tell those of us, who don't want to jump through all those hoops, what the initial regular price is?

[Brian MacDonald]

Hi Don,
I've got the A3-31 and what I ended up using was the JET JW1039 Multiple Step Adapter. It has 6 steps 6" down to 1" and costs about $12.

[Steve Dewey]

Since you are getting a show display price I won't ask you how much that is, but can you tell those of us, who don't want to jump through all those hoops, what the initial regular price is?

Basic machine is on sale for $3,000 (MSRP $3,500) plus shipping ($429 to residential Mass address). Price is going up 10% come April 1st.

[Don Abele]

...I switched to Fernco rubber sewer pipe unions...

Jim, meant to ask you...are you using a 4" Fernco?


...I ended up using was the JET JW1039 Multiple Step Adapter...

Brian, this is what I have at the end of my 6" flex hose right now reducing it down to 4". It's an option I'll definitely look at.

Be well,

Doc

[Jim Becker]

Jim, meant to ask you...are you using a 4" Fernco?

Yea, the "four inch" Fernco, because it's designed for the heavy pipe, fits right over the 120mm hood and it's thickness is pretty much what you need to go inside a 5" flex hose. You'll need to play a little with a 6"-5" reducer on that side, but it shouldn't be all that hard to get to work. Worse case, you can ask someone to send you a foot of 5" flex as an "adapter". I know I don't have any scraps anymore, but I suspect "someone" at SMC would have a little lying around!

[Martin Shupe]

Don, I am jealous...someday I want a good J/P.

[Brad Shipton]

I have a Hammer and I started with their straight reducer to 100mm. I now have the elbow and it is far easier to fit when making the change over. With the straight connector it was trickier to get the hose back between the infeed/outfeed table gap when in planer mode. I also upgraded to 120mm tubing for making the wider cuts. Any of the options suggested will work fine so long as it fits tight and do not require a hose clamp. It might be less headache to spring for the felder one. The first $3k is the bank breaker not the last $50. You will love the digital gauge. Other than some checks occasionally (blades affect the measurements when they dull) you can pretty much put down the calipers.

Brad

[Narayan Nayar]

Hi. I'm considering pulling the trigger on an A3-31. Could someone with one of these machines and its mobility kit be so kind as to provide me with actual floor space / height requirements? I'd really appreciate it.

[Scot Ferraro]

Hi Don,

Congrats on the new purchase -- I took delivery of my Hammer 12 inch J/P a few months ago -- it is a dream machine. I had a hard time getting a 120 mm reducer to fit on the machine (I think it is a tad larger than 120 mm -- what I ended up doing was getting a short peice of hose from Felder that fits the connector and then connected this to my 120 mm reducer/enlarger to go to my 6 inch collection hose. Oneida makes the reducers and enlargers to go with whatever size hose you are using.

Also, make sure you check the tables -- mine were not set 100% from the factory -- it did not take too long to get everything within .001 tolerance and so now I am enjoying snipe-free jointing and planing. Also, I am able to get 1/8 inch thick on the planer with no marks (so I was able to get rid of my small portable).

Enjoy!

Scot

[Don Abele]

Thanks guys. Seems like I have many options to make the transition. I'll fiddle with it a bit and find what best fits my needs from all the options you gave me. Man I can't wait until May!

Thanks again.

Be well,

Doc